PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I Exercise Questions and Answers, Notes.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Comprehension means understanding. At the learners level comprehension is a fairly good exercise for ability enhancement and confidence building. It involves deriving or getting the meaning of reading material. It means the understanding of what is written or heard or spoken.

A passage -given for comprehension is a tool to test ability to understand it. In order to acquire efficiency in understanding a passage, practice supplemented by reading books written by eminent authors, acts like the benefits of comprehension in the real sense. You could be asked different types of questions in order to find out if your knowledge is sound. Some of these questions may be:

1. Multiple Choice Questions.
2. You should read the passage again slowly so as to know all the details.
3. Read the passage after reading all the questions.
4. Answer the question in a complete sentence.
5. Read the words in a group, not one by one.
6. Try to get the meaning of unknown or unfamiliar words.
7. Do not feel nervous if you do not know the meanings of one or two words. Sometimes two or three readings are quite helpful.
8. Revise your answer to correct mistakes.
9. Every passage embodies a viewpoint.
10. As far as possible, use your own words in answering one line questions. You should not try to lift the words of the passage.
11. You should try to create the impression that you are the master and you have thorough understanding of the passage given in the question paper.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Question No. 1 (a) in the question paper will be based on comprehension of an unseen passage.

One unseen passage with a variety of Objective Type Questions, including Multiple Choice questions and Short Answer Questions to test Comprehension, interpretation and inference. The length of this passage will be between 200-250 words. Six Multiple Choice type question and four Objective Type Questions (total 10 marks) shall be asked from this pasage.

Sample Paragraphs for Comprehension

Passage 1

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

The great advantage of early rising is the good start that it gives us in our day’s work. The early riser has done a large amount before other men have got out of bed. In early morning this mind is fresh and there are few sounds or other distractions, so the work done at that time is generally well done. In many cases the early riser also finds some time to take exercise in the fresh morning air, and this exercise supplies him with a fund of energy that will last until the evening. By beginning so early, he has plenty of time to do thoroughly all his work being finished in good time, has a long interval of rest in the evening before the timely hour when he goes to bed. He goes to sleep several hours before midnight, at the time when sleep is most refreshing, and after a sound night’s rest, rises early next morning in good health and spirits for the labours of a new day.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose one of the following as a suitable title for the passage:
(a) Advantages of Early Rising
(b) Early Rising versus Late Rising
(c) Disadvantages of Early Rising
(d) An Early Riser or An Early Bird
Answer:
(a) Advantages of Early Rising

Question 2.
Choose the correct meaning of the Word ‘Distraction:
(a) Destruction
(b) Disappointment
(c) State of being upset or disturbed
(d) Destinations
Answer:
(c) State of being upset or disturbed

Question 3.
Choose the correct answer:
The work done by an early riser is:
(a) Hurriedly done
(b) Well done
(c) Carelessly done
(d) Badly done
Answer:
(b) Well done

Question 4.
Select the correct statement:
(a) An early riser gets time to take exercise in the fresh morning air
(b) One gets no time for exercise
(c) The early riser does not take exercise
(d) He takes exercise in the evening.
Answer:
(a) An early riser gets time to take exercise in the fresh morning air

Question 5.
Pick the correct statement:
(a) The early riser gets time for rest in the morning.
(b) The early riser does not find time for rest in the evening.
(c) The early riser does not take rest in the evening.
(d) The early riser hates taking rest in the evening.
Answer:
(a) The early riser gets time for rest in the morning.

Question 6.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) The life of the early riser is far more conducive to health than that of the late riser.
(b) The life of the early riser is not conducive to health.
(c) The life style of the early riser is envied by others.
(d) The life of the early riser is marked by hurry, worry and stress.
Answer:
(a) The life of the early riser is far more conducive to health than that of the late riser.

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is the advantage of rising early ?
Answer:
Early rising gives a good start to the day’s work. The early riser is able to do a good deal of work while the others are still asleep.

Question 8.
Why is the work done in the early morning well done ?
Answer:
In the early hours of the morning, work is done in a very good way. The early morning time is free from noise. There is no disturbance of any kind.

Question 9.
What enables the early riser to go to bed at the proper time ?
Answer:
The mind of the riser is also quite fresh. By rising early, the early riser adds to his hours of work. He gets ample time to do full justice to each one of tasks or jobs assigned to him. He does not have to hurry over anything.

Question 10.
Why is the late riser unable to do his work properly ?
Answer:
The late riser gets fewer hours of work. He gets no rest during the day, no time for rest, no time for exercise in the evening and has to keep awake till late hours in order to finish his work. And still whatever work is done is done unsatisfactorily.

Passage 2

Read the following passage and answer the Questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Penicillin is one of the most useful drugs invented by man. With its help, we can heal wounds caused by bacteria which cannot be otherwise healed. In the beginning very few people knew of this wonderful discovery on its uses. First the scientists and then the ministers of governments were interested in it. Since penicillin could save the wounded soldiers, it was helpful in war. So they decided to encourage the process of manufacture. Vast factories were set up for preparing it. Lives of hundreds and thousands of soldiers were saved with its help. Most people benefited from it. Penicillin when introduced into the streams of the human blood, acts as an aid to those parts which are always fighting the deadly germs. It does not have power over all kinds of bacteria. But certain kinds are destroyed by penicillin in the great majoriy of cases.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Select the correct statement:
(a) Penicillin is not the most useful drugs invented by man.
(b) Penicillin is one of the most useful drugs invented by man.
(c) Penicillin has not been able to cure Corona virus.
(d) Vaccine for the Corona virus is still at the testing stage.
Answer:
(b) Penicillin is one of the most useful drugs invented by man.

Question 2.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Penicillin could not save the wounded soldiers.
(b) Penicillin could save the soldiers.
(c) Penicillin could injure the soldiers.
(d) Penicillin could kill the soldiers.
Answer:
(b) Penicillin could save the soldiers.

Question 3.
Pick up those who were interested in the discovery of penicillin in the beginning.
(a) Teachers
(b) Ministers of governments
(c) doctors
(d) Scientists.
Answer:
(b) Ministers of governments

Question 4.
Penicillin was helpful in war to:
(a) Save wounded soldiers
(b) Save ordinary people
(c) Save healthy people
(d) Save children.
Answer:
(a) Save wounded soldiers

Question 5.
Just write how many of the people given below knew about the penicillin at the time of its discovery ?
(a) Very few people
(b) A few scientists
(c) Famous physicians
(d) Important world leaders.
Answer:
(a) Very few people

Question 6.
Choose the people who encouraged the process of manufacture.
(a) Factory owners
(b) Military men
(c) Scientists
(d) Ministers of governments.
Answer:
(c) Scientists

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
Why did scientists and ministers of governments encourage the process of manufacture ?
Answer:
Penicillin was useful for war because it saved the lives of soldiers. So the scientists and government ministers encouraged the process of manufacture.

Question 8.
Why were vast factories set up ?
Answer:
Vast factories were set up to prepare penicillin.

Question 9.
How did most people benefit from penicillin ?
Answer:
Most people benefited from penicillin because it saved the lives of many soldiers and people.

Question 10.
What kind of bacteria are destroyed by penicillin ?
Answer:
Certain kinds of bacteria are destroyed by penicillin in the great majority of cases.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 3

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Platinum is pure, rare, eternal and versatile, it is a precious and special metal. It is pure, an expression of integrity, and a reflection of inner truth. Its purity endows it with a brilliant white lustre. This helps to reflect the true radiance of diamonds. Because it is generally 95% pure (18 karat gold is 75% pure), platinum jewellery does not fade on tarnish and keeps its looks for a lifetime. Platinum’s purity makes it hypoallergenic an ideal for those with sensitive skin.

It is rare, the coveted treasure of discerning individuals. There is very little platinum on this earth and it is found in very few places around the world. This exquisite metal is thirty times rarer than gold. In fact, it is estimated that if all the platinum in the .world were poured into one Olympic swimming pool, it would be scarcely deep enough to cover your ankles. Gold would fill more than three pools. Platinum’s rarity makes it exclusive and distinctive —a celebration of your individuality.

Platinum jewellery is the perfect choice for a lifetime of everyday^ wear. Its density and weight make it more durable than other jewellery metals. It does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely. Like all precious metals, platinum scratches. However the scratch on a platinum piece is merely a displacement of the metal and none of its volume is lost. So, even though wearing it each and every day may leave an impression on the surface. It remains what it was—a symbol for all thing eternal.

In addition to its strength and density, plantinum has another remarkable quality-pliability. It is so pliable, that just one gram of the metal can be drawn to produce a fine wire over one mile (almost 2 km) long. This quality has enabled jewellers to create some amazing versatile platinum mesh accessories, which could not be fashioned from other precious metals. It is also in demand in other fields-it is used in industry, most notably in catalytic converters. It also plays an important role in medicine. It is not affected by the oxidising reaction of blood, has excellent conductivity, and is compatible with living tissues. Because of these properties, platinum is used for pacemakers. At present, more than 50,000 people are living healthily on pacemakers. Platinum is a life-saving metal for these people.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose two of the correct qualities of platinum as referred to in the passage.
(a) Versatile
(b) Rare
(c) Transient
(d) Crude-looking.
Answer:
(a) Versatile

Question 2.
Platinum can be described as:
(a) A gold metal
(b) A silver grey precious metal
(c) An iron metal
(d) A type of diamond.
Answer:
(b) A silver grey precious metal

Question 3.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Platinum has a reflection of inner truth.
(b) The platinum jewellery’s looks fade very soon.
(c) Platinum jewellery retains its looks for a lifetime.
(d) Platinums rarity makes it exclusive and distinctive.
Answer:
(a) Platinum has a reflection of inner truth.

Question 4.
Select the correct statement:
(a) Platinum is the coveted treasure of discerning individuals.
(b) There is a big store of platinum on this earth.
(c) Platinum is found in many places round the world.
(d) All the platinum would fill one Olympic swimming pool.
Answer:
(a) Platinum is the coveted treasure of discerning individuals.

Question 5.
Select the correct statement:
(a) Plantinum jewellery is a poor choice for everyday wear.
(b) The weight of the platinum jewellery makes it less durable than other jewellery metals.
(c) Platinum jewellery does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly.
(d) Platinum jewellery is a short-lived thing.
Answer:
(c) Platinum jewellery does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly.

Question 6.
Because of its remarkable pliability, one gram of platinum can be drawn to produce a fine wire of one of the given lengths.
(a) One mile
(b) Half a mile
(c) Two miles
(d) Two km.
Answer:
(a) One mile

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What are the uses of platinum ?
Answer:
The brilliant white lustre enables it to reflect the true radiance of diamonds.

Question 8.
How is platinum a distinctive mark of one’s individuality ?
Answer:
The unusual quality of platinum makes it a distinctive mark of ones individuality.

Question 9.
How does platinum save people with heart ailments ?
Answer:
Platinun is used in making pace-makers for heart patients.

Question 10.
Give in simple English the meanings of the following words:
Eternal, integrity.
Answer:
everlasting, honesty/truth.

Passage 4

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Do birds know how to come back home after a long flight ? Bird scientists known as ornithologists, say that birds know exactly where they are and where their nests are. Even the young ones can fly hundreds of nautical miles without losing their way. How do they do it ? God has given them a tremendous sense of direction; possibly they have a compass of sorts in their brain. Every year, we see birds from North India who fly to the South. In India we have several bird sanctuaries where birds from both parts of the globe come, spend a few months and return when the climatic conditions in their homeland are more favourable. When it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is summer in the southern hemisphere. The birds which cannot stand the cold climate fly to the warmer regions. They are called migratory birds. They can fly non-stop up to twenty hours in sky in one stretch and cover a few hundred miles in one stop. The migratory birds always fly in groups.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose one of the correct words which is closer to the subject matter of the passage :
(a) Orthopaedist
(b) Ornithologist
(c) Orthographies
(d) Orthodontist.
Answer:
(b) Ornithologist

Question 2.
Choose some of the terms which are used by sailors of the navy and naval ships the author has used in the passage :
(a) Nautical mile
(b) Compass
(c) Hemisphere
(d) Regions.
Answer:
(a) Nautical mile

Question 3.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) It is difficult to say that birds know how to come back home after a long flight.
(b) We can say for sure that birds come back home after a long flight.
(c) Birds cannot come back to their nests after a long flight.
(d) It is impossible for the birds to get back home.
Answer:
(b) We can say for sure that birds come back home after a long flight.

Question 4.
Nautical mile is:
(a) Sea mile used by ships and sailors.
(b) Sea mile used by birds.
(c) Sea mile used by scientists.
(d) Distance covered by birds.
Answer:
(a) Sea mile used by ships and sailors.

Question 5.
A statute mile is:
(a) Used in water
(b) Used on land
(c) Used in air
(d) Used by scientists.
Answer:
(b) Used on land

Question 6.
Choose the correct statements :
(a) Young birds fly hundreds of miles.
(b) Young birds have some magnetic power.
(c) Some birds lose their way.
(d) Birds have a kind of compass in their brain.
Answer:
(a) Young birds fly hundreds of miles.

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
State the query that has been raised at the opening of the passage.
Answer:
The query is Do birds know how to come back home after a long flight ?

Question 8.
What is a sanctuary ?
Answer:
Sanctuary is an area where wild animals and birds are protected.

Question 9.
What is a migratory bird ?
Answer:
Migratory birds move from their homelands during summer and winter seasons.

Question 10.
In what form do migratory birds fly ?
Answer:
They fly in groups.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 5

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Health and hygiene go hand in hand. Health refers to a state of sound mind and physically fit body, free from any form of weakness, disorder or ailment. Hygiene refers to the good practices that prevent diseases and lead to good health through cleanliness, proper sewage disposal, balanced and nutritious food, regular exercise, proper sleep, pure and fresh supply of safe drinking water, The proverb that ‘health is wealth’ is truly said of all things in the world. Health is the most valuable thing that one can possess.

Money is undoubtedly a prized possession but can it provide pleasure to a ruined health, an unhealthy man? As body and mind are closely related, the mind can never be sound cheerful without sound health. An unhealthy man may have intelligence, merit and wealth, but he cannot put them to use and reap their benefits. We must therefore adopt proper hygienic measures to preserve and maintain good health. Too much of work or exercise, eating and drinking are injurious to health. A regulated life coupled with clear and pure mind makes life worthliving.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Health and Hygiene go hand in hand.
(b) Health and Hygiene go separately.
(c) Health and Hygiene never go together.
(d) Health and Hygience rarely go together.
Answer:
(a) Health and Hygiene go hand in hand.

Question 2.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Health refers to a state of sound mind and physically fit body.
(b) Health stands for physical and mental wellness.
(c) Health refers to physically fit with minor mental ailments.
(d) Health means excellent physical fitness and partially weak mental condition.
Answer:
(b) Health stands for physical and mental wellness.

Question 3.
Choose the correct statement
(a) Health stands for physical and mental wellness.
(b) Health means a fat and robust body.
(c) We must not adopt proper hygienic measures to preserve and maintain good health.
(d) Too much of work or exercise, eating and drinking are not injurious to health.
Answer:
(a) Health stands for physical and mental wellness.

Question 4.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Health is wealth is truly said of all things in the world.
(b) Money is a prized possession.
(c) Money can provide pleasure to a ruined health.
(d) The human mind can be cheerful without good health.
Answer:
(a) Health is wealth is truly said of all things in the world.

Question 5.
Choose some of the practices that can lead to good health :
(a) Smoking
(b) Drinking wine
(c) Regulated life
(d) Gambling.
Answer:
(b) Drinking wine

Question 6.
Choose some of the following things which can keep us in good health :
(a) Eating opium
(b) Gambling
(c) Abundant wealth
(d) Regular exercise.
Answer:
(c) Abundant wealth

Other Objective Type Questions

Question 7.
What do you mean by being healthy ?
Answer:
Being healthy means being phyically fit and mentally sound.

Question 8.
Is it possible for a person with ruined health to be cheerful ?
Answer:
A man with ruined health cannot be cheerful.

Question 9.
Mention at least three practices that lead to good health ?
Answer:

  1. balanced diet
  2. regular exercise
  3. pure air.

Question 10.
Is pure water injurious to health ?
Answer:
No, pure water is not injurious to health.

Passage 6

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

We take water so much for granted, but we cannot live without it. Almost three fourth of the surface of the earth is covered with water. You may ask, so why worry about water ?

But have you realised that 97 percent of the water on earth is in the oceans ? This water cannot be directly used to meet any of our daily needs. Almost 2 percent of the water is stored in ice caps and glaciers and again cannot be used, unless melted. That leaves us with just 1 percent to meet all the! needs of all living beings. This is what we call fresh water, and this is found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and some of this is underground. Can you think of all the uses of water in our daily lives ? It is this 1 percent that meets all these needs.

It is because of this scarcity that we have to be really careful about how this water is used world over, there is a growing concern about the depleting water sources. The demand for water is the effect of the increased population and industrial growth around the world. In cities like Chennai there is a price of drinking water.

Then there is the reality of the skewed distribution of water. We know that there are some localities in our cities that enjoy water all round the clock, while others are deprived for days. The insensitivity of some is glaring when they use the scarce water to hose their cars or water their manicured gardens, and all the while people are thirsty.

There is also the growing pollution of water sources all over the world. This pollution is caused by water released from several industries or sometimes even an accident or disaster in water bodies, which causes the release of pollutants in the water. There are several areas in the country where water has become unfit for drinking because of this. So next time you keep the tap running, while you brush your teeth or wash your face, think about it. By turning off the tap, you may be helping someone, somewhere, to get a bucketful of water.

Water, in its pure form, is a tasteless and odourless substance that is essential to all known forms of life and is known as the most universal solvent. It appears colourless to the naked eye in small quantities.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose the correct response:
What percent of water on earth is in the oceans ?
(a) 95
(b) 88
(c) 79
(d) 97.
Answer:
(d) 97.

Question 2.
Two percent of the water on earth remains stored in some of the following:
(a) Rivers
(b) Lakes
(c) Ice-caps
(d) Glaciers.
Answer:
(d) Glaciers.

Question 3.
Living beings on the earth are left with one of the following percentages:
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 1.
Answer:
(d) 1.

Question 4.
Choose the correct word for water:
(a) Rain
(b) Liquid
(c) Aqua
(d) Acua.
Answer:
(c) Aqua

Question 5.
The demand for increased supply of water is due to some of these factors.
(a) Increased population
(b) Industrial growth
(c) Urbanization
(d) Tourism.
Answer:
(a) Increased population

Question 6.
The author has mentioned some city where water is available for some price:
(a) Kolkata
(b) Vadodara
(c) Chennai
(d) Karnal.
Answer:
(c) Chennai

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is skewed distribution of water ?
Answer:
Skewed distribution of water is unfair, some localities get preferential treatment; others are denied even the bare minimum.

Question 8.
What advice does the author give to a person brushing his teeth with the water tap open ?
Answer:
He advises him to turn off the tap and avoid the wastage. Some needy person could fill his empty bucket.

Question 9.
How is water pollution caused ?
Answer:
Pollution is caused by water released from several industries, by pollutants in the water bodies, filth and garbage thrown in the water.

Question 10.
Explain the following statement from the passage:
We take water so much for granted but we cannot live without it.
Answer:
We take certain things casually. Water is one such thing. Water is easily available to us. But when it becomes scarce, we get troubled. We cannot live without water. Water is the elixir of life.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 7

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Pollution, the simple visible kind of pollution, is now worldwide. When Apollo 8, took photographs of the earth’s surface, it revealed the most serious smog and polluted air over Osaka and Tokyo in Japan. Along this 31 tons of dirt a mount fell on every square kilometre, compared with a mere 17 tons in New York. Coastal vessels collide regularly because they cannot see each others navigation lights. Traffic policemen go back to the police station after four hours on duty and breathe pure oxygen from cyclinders, to re-oxygenate their carbon monoxide loaded-blood.

In cafes and shopping centres coin-in-slot machines give oxygen to shoppers who feel themselves about to collapse. In schools, the children wear face masks while they do their lessons on smog in warning days.

The existence of environmental pollution has recently gained recognition as a major problem but pollution is only part of the story. It is not that we load the environment with gases, acids, metals and assorted poisons which comprise a damage to health. It is rather that we alter the environment every possible way. We dump heat into it, and dust particles; we fell forests and pave over fields; we destroy one species of animal and cultivate another; we make noises and dump trash. There is a limit to how much of this treatment it can take.

If we dump sewage into a stream, on a small scale, the stream dissolves it and purifies it. Ten miles downstream the water is pure again. But we dump large quantities of sewage, we end by killing the purifying bacteria and then the stream has lost its power to purify. It can no longer deal even with the small quantity of sewage which it once accepted without difficulty. The system has broken down. For this overwhelming kind of pollution we need a new term. I call it super-pollution.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose the various ways in which we alter environment.
(a) Gases
(b) Acids and assorted poisons
(c) Heat
(d) Water.
Answer:
(a) Gases

Question 2.
Super Pollution is one of the following:
(a) Absence of pollution
(b) Total clearing of pollution
(c) Overwhelming pollution
(d) Nauseating pollution.
Answer:
(c) Overwhelming pollution

Question 3.
Choose two or three of the under-mentioned things which are harmful to health:
(a) Gases
(b) Acids
(c) Metals
(d) Assorted poisons.
Answer:
(b) Acids

Question 4.
Which of the following two activities do not damage the environment ?
(a) Felling the trees
(b) Sea navigation
(c) Garbage- throwing in water
(d) Emission of gases.
Answer:
(c) Garbage- throwing in water

Question 5.
Choose the correct meaning of sewage:
(a) Cloth sewn by a sewing machine.
(b) Waste matter carried away in sewers.
(c) Throwing garbage in streams.
(d) Polluting water resources.
Answer:
(b) Waste matter carried away in sewers.

Question 6.
Traffic policemen go back to the police station after four hours on duty and breath pure:
(a) Carbondioxide
(b) Oxygen
(c) Methane
(d) Hydrogen.
Answer:
(b) Oxygen

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
Give a definition of pollution in simple English.
Answer:
Pollution may be defined as the process of making air, water and soil dirty.

Question 8.
As mentioned by the author of the passage, why do policemen breathe pure oxygen from cylinders ?
Answer:
Policemen breathe pure oxygen from cylinders, to re-oxygenate their carbon monoxide loaded-blood.

Question 9.
How do collapsing shoppers get oxygen from cylinders ?
Answer:
Collapsing shoppers get oxygen from cylinders by coin-in-slot machines.

Question 10.
What do school children wear on their faces while doing their lessons on smog in warning days ?
Answer:
In schools, the children wear face masks while they do their lessons on smog in warning days.

Passage 8

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

The robot soldier is coming. The Pentagon predicts that the robots will be a major fighting force in the American military in less than a decade, beating and killing enemies in combat. Robots are a crucial part of the army’s effort to rebuild itself as a twenty-first century fighting force and a dollar 127 billion project called Future Combat Systems is the biggest military contact in American history.

The military plans to invest tens of billions of dollars in automated armed forces. The cost of that transformation will help drive the Defence Department’s budget up almost 20 per cent from a requested 419.3 billion dollars in 2010, excluding the cost of war. The annual cost of buying new weapons is scheduled to rise 50 percent from 578 billion to 5118.6 billions. Military planners say that robot soldiers will think, see and react increasingly like humans. In the beginning, they will be remote controlled, looking and acting like deadly toy trucks. As the technology develops, they may take many shapes. And as their intelligence grows, so will their autonomy.

But even supporters like Robert Finklestein of Robotic Technology in Potomac M.D., are telling the Pentagon that it.could take until 2035 to develop a Robot that looks, thinks and fights like a soldier with a laptop. “The Pentagons goal is there”, he said, “but the path is not totally clear.” Already however hundred robots are scouring caves in Afghanistan, and serving as armed sentries at American Weapons depots.
By April, an armed version of the bomb disposal robot will be in Baghdad, capable of firing 1000 rounds a minute. Though controlled by a soldier with a laptop, the robot will be the first thinking machine of its kind to take up a frontline infantry position, ready to kill enemies.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
The passage opens by stating that the robot soldier is coming. Choose the correct date or year when it will come:
(a) In a decade
(b) In two decades
(c) 2035
(d) Not clear.
Answer:
(c) 2035

Question 2.
Choose the correct option:
The cost of the innovation robot soldiers will:
(a) Shoot up
(b) Decline
(c) Marginally decrease
(d) Be unbearable.
Answer:
(a) Shoot up

Question 3.
Choose the correct option:
The path about robotic soldiering is:
(a) Not very clear
(b) It may not materialise
(c) Very hard
(d) Very tempting.
Answer:
(a) Not very clear

Question 4.
A robot is a machine controlled by:
(a) Computer
(b) Human beings
(c) Skilled men
(d) Scientists.
Answer:
(a) Computer

Question 5.
Say whether the following facts mentioned about the robot soldier are correct:
(a) Looks
(b) Thinks
(c) Fights
(d) does other activities like a soldier.
Answer:
(d) does other activities like a soldier.

Question 6.
The Pentagon predicts that the robots will be a major fighting force in the American military :
(a) In less than two decades
(b) In less than a decade
(c) In less than ten decades
(d) Within a year.
Answer:
(b) In less than a decade

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
Can you identify Pentagon ?
Answer:
Pentagon is the U.S. Defence Department.

Question 8.
What is the prediction of the Pentagon ?
Answer:
It is a prophecy of the Pentagon that the robot soldier will be a reality in 2035.

Question 9.
What is the importance of robots in the army’s efforts ?
Answer:
It is believed that robot soldiers will think, see and react increasingly like human beings.

Question 10.
Do you think that robot soldier is a reality ?
Answer:
It is not very clear. It is difficult to see it in the domain of reality.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 9

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Viruses are notorious villains. They cause serious human diseases like AIDS, polio and influenza. Oxford Dictionary defines virus as a living thing, too small to be seen without a microscope. It causes infectious diseases in people, animals and plants. During this year (2020), the world is in the grip of the Corona Virus. A virus can lead to system crisis and data loss in computers. China generated virus Corona and has made the world order topsy-turvy. So far we do not see the end to Corona virus. No vaccine seems to come up by November or December.

We wonder if some of the power-losers are hit by another virus of nightmarish dreams of negativity, disaster, eternal doom. One nanotechnology researcher Angela Belcher is working with viruses, proteins and yeast offers hope for new ground bringing solutions to the worlds energy problems. It holds the prospect of using nanotechnology in a variety of ways, ranging from improving the efficiency of production, storage and transmission of energy overcoming many of the obstacles to a hydrage based transportation system based on fuel cell powered cars and trucks.

Nanotechnology entails the measurement, prediction and construction of materials on the scale of atoms and molecules. Nanometre, is one billionth of a metre and nanotechnology typically deals with particles and structure larger than nanometre, but smaller than 100 nanometres. To put this into perspective the width of a human hair is approximately 80,000 nanometres. It is estimated that 2-6 trillion dollars in manufactured goods will incorporate nanotech, or about 15 percent of total global output in 2014.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose the appropriate reasons to prove why viruses are notorious.
(a) They are widely known to be villains.
(b) They are responsible for causing human diseases like AIDS, polio and some others.
(c) They can cause virus among power losers.
(d) They can lead to system crisis and data loss in computers.
Answer:
(a) They are widely known to be villains.

Question 2.
Choose the elements that go to make the definition of a virus.
(a) A virus is a living thing.
(b) It is too small.
(c) It can be seen with the naked eye.
(d) It can be seen with a microscope.
Answer:
(a) A virus is a living thing.

Question 3.
Angela Balcher is a researcher in one of the following:
(a) Psychology
(b) Biology
(c) Philosophy
(d) Nanotechnology.
Answer:
(d) Nanotechnology.

Question 4.
Nanotechnology entails the:
(a) measurements
(b) prediction of materials
(c) rare things
(d) very costly things.
Answer:
(b) prediction of materials

Question 5.
Choose the correct measurement in the following:
(a) A nanometre is one billionth of a metre
(b) One tenth of a metre
(c) One hundredth of a metre
(d) One thousandth of a metre.
Answer:
(a) A nanometre is one billionth of a metre

Question 6.
Choose the correct measurement of a human hair:
(a) approximately 80,000 nanometres
(b) 50,000 nanometres
(c) 8000 nanometres
(d) 18,000 nanometres.
Answer:
(a) approximately 80,000 nanometres

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is the unique characteristic of viruses ?
Answer:
Viruses are very harmful for man in various fields.

Question 8.
How is nanotechnology defined ?
Answer:
It is going to bring about a revolution in the future. It will bring change in medical care, communication and food. It will solve energy problems.

Question 9.
What example is given for the concept of nanometre ?
Answer:
A nanometre is one billionth of a metre.

Question 10.
Give in simple English the meanings of the following:
Replicate, entails, notorious, inexpensive.
Answer:
make something again, involves, having a bad nature, cheap.

Passage 10

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Be brief and to the point.

If you are not in the grip of avarice, you will choose a trade or profession that appeals to you as the means of self-expression and social service, even if you cannot earn much money by it. Your daily duty is not mere money,’making drudgery; it is your contribution to social progress and the path of personal development. How sad must be the lot of a man or woman who must do uncongenial work simply for the sake of more money ? I know a younger professor who loved literature passionately and taught it admirably; but his salary was small, and he became a lawyer in order to secure a larger income.

I tell you that man was guilty of a crime, and he will not be happy as a lawyer, although he may be a little more comfortable, a little better fed, dressed and lodged. A musician who is born a violinist can never be personally happy or socially useful as a prosperous merchant or stock-broker, as he will miss the violin all the time. Avarice puts round men in square jobs and square men in round jobs. At present, many persons in all classes, rich and poor are unhapp^ and restless because their daily work is not interesting. It does not provide an outlet for the creative impulse and the insistent urge of personality. Therefore, don’t ask in youth, “How can I earn the biggest salary ?” Ask rather, “How can I be truly happy and do most good to society ?” Then you may have less money, but you will have more of life and joy.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose one of the following words which are the synonyms of Avarice’.
(a) Greed
(b) Wealth
(c) Covetousness
(d) Richness.
Answer:
(a) Greed

Question 2.
Choose the antonym of Avarice:
(a) Miserliness
(b) Grandeur
(c) Penury
(d) Unselfishness.
Answer:
(d) Unselfishness.

Question 3.
Why are most of the people unhappy at present ?
(a) Because their daily work is not interesting.
(b) Because their daily work is tough.
(c) Because their daily work is laborious.
(d) Because their daily work is time-consuming.
Answer:
(a) Because their daily work is not interesting.

Question 4.
Name the parts of speech as which of the following words have been used in the unseen passage given for comprehension.
(a) Caprice
(b) Trade
(c) Passionately
(d) Daily.
Answer:
(c) Passionately

Question 5.
The advice of the writer to the youth is:
(a) To find ways to earn money.
(b) To work hard to earn money.
(c) To work according to one’s capacity.
(d) To study hard to get good job.
Answer:
(a) To find ways to earn money.

Question 6.
A violinist can never be happy as a prosperous merchant because:
(a) He will miss the violin all the time.
(b) He will not earn enough money.
(c) He will not get sufficient time to enjoy his life.
(d) He will be bored by his profession.
Answer:
(a) He will miss the violin all the time.

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
Make adjective from Avarice.
Answer:
Avaricious.

Question 8.
When will a violinist be unhappy ?
Answer:
The violinist will always be unhappy because he will not be able to play on the violin by being busy in business.

Question 9.
Who are the misplaced persons according to the writer ?
Answer:
Misplaced persons are those who put themselves in such situations to earn more at the cost of their own interests and personality.

Question 10.
What is the advice of the writer to the youth ?
Answer:
The writer wants the young people to find ways to earn money.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 11

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Be brief and to the point.

Social media has impacted the world in many ways. Millions of people are using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all over the world. Such websites have enabled us to connect with friends, families and acquaintances. These have also become the best tools, to be aware of the latest buzz in every field. Children have to be trained to use media very carefully and judiciously. It is the responsibility of the teachers to train the students in making use of the social media in a responsible way.

Facebook started by Mark Zuker Berg is the most used social media tool. Its business depends on persuading people into sharing their personal experiences with public or their known people. Posting pictures or uploading status has become an important part of their daily routine. No one is immune to its addictive effect. Periodically looking at their phones for any updates has become a norm for people. Users must be made aware of the fact that sharing personal details and photos can be misued by criminals or anti-social elements.

One must understand that every post on Facebook or such sites is not always backed by facts or truth. One must not make friends with unknown persons. Time and effort spent on social media can be used productively. Some people use media to spread religious fanaticism or hatred. Social media should be used to help connect with people not to disconnect or disintegrate from mainstream. It should be used to bring harmony and love only.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Name at least three websites which are used by social media all over the world.
(a) Facebook
(b) Instagram
(c) Computer
(d) Twitter.
Answer:
(a) Facebook
(b) Instagram
(d) Twitter.

Question 2.
Choose the utility of the websites of Social Media :
(a) Social media has impacted the world in many ways.
(b) They enable the users to connect and communicate with friends and families.
(c) They are the best tools to keep oneself abreast of or with the latest buzz in the world.
(d) They are so convenient that they need to be used very judiciously.
Answer:
(a) Social media has impacted the world in many ways.
(b) They enable the users to connect and communicate with friends and families.
(c) They are the best tools to keep oneself abreast of or with the latest buzz in the world.
(d) They are so convenient that they need to be used very judiciously.

Question 3.
Social media has impacted the world in many ways such as :
(a) Facebook
(b) Twitter
(c) Instagram
(d) Whatsapp.
Answer:
(a) Facebook
(b) Twitter
(c) Instagram
(d) Whatsapp.

Question 4.
The Media of Facebook is proved very popular by:
(a) The way to connect and communicate with friends
(b) Families
(c) To keep oneself aware of the latest buzz in every field
(d) Very useful for social media users.
Answer:
(a) The way to connect and communicate with friends
(b) Families
(c) To keep oneself aware of the latest buzz in every field
(d) Very useful for social media users.

Question 5.
Choose the advantages and disadvantages of social media from the following points:
(a) It has additive effect.
(b) It has become a norm for people to use the facebook.
(c) One must not take friends with unknown persons.
(d) Some people will use social media for religious fanaticism or hatred.
Answer:
Advantages (a) It has additive effect.
Disadvantages (c) One must not take friends with unknown persons.

Question 6.
Who started the Facebook ?
(a) Alexandar
(b) Columbus
(c) Mark Zuker Berg
(d) Bill Gates.
Answer:
(c) Mark Zuker Berg

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is Twitter ?
Answer:
Twitter is an American micro blogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as tweets.

Question 8.
What is Instagram ?
Answer:
Instagram is an American photo and video sharing social networking service. Posts can be shared publicly pre-approved followers.

Question 9.
Which is the most used tool of social media?
Answer:
Facebook is the most used tool of social media.

Question 10.
What has become a norm for the people?
Answer:
Periodically looking at their phones for any updates has become a norm for the people.

Passage 12

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

English has become by default global language. Someone who speaks English can travel all over the world without any inconvenience or difficulty. English is also the language of business and science. Scientists from all parts of the world are publishing their studies and papers in English and thus their research is benefiting most people around the globe. Almost all journal articles, conference papers and even human case studies are in English. Therefore, these merits validate the importance of the English language.

Hundreds of students migrate abroad for higher studies. English is the most preferred language in which they continue their studies. Most of the countries have set English language bench marks for different educational courses. To attain these language levels, students have to appear in different, internationally accepted, language testing systems. The use of English as the global language in the fields such as business, university studies, and research has improved the communication and exchange of information.

Trade transactions from different countries have been empowered by English settled as the primary language in this sector. People in certain countries find English learning to be extremely difficult because of the extreme differences in written expression. For example, each symbol is a word in the Chinese language. So learning English may be a very difficult task for people from now. English speaking countries may have to learn English as a second language in addition to their native language. And some of these are valid excuses for not learning English because someone who speaks English has a clear advantage over someone who does not speak English.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Pick a suitable heading for the passage.
(a) Importance of English Language
(b) English as a Global Language
(c) Difficulty in Learning English Language
(d) The Need of a Second Language.
Answer:
(a) Importance of English Language
(b) English as a Global Language

Question 2.
Choose the reasons by which English has become a global language.
(a) By default
(b) By travellers who speak English
(c) It is the language of business and science
(d) Language spoken by students going abroad for studies.
Answer:
(a) By default
(b) By travellers who speak English
(c) It is the language of business and science
(d) Language spoken by students going abroad for studies.

Question 3.
Choose some of the indications of importance of English.
(a) Most preferred language of tourists
(b) Language of Science & Research
(c) Global Communication
(d) Trade Communication.
Answer:
(a) Most preferred language of tourists
(b) Language of Science & Research
(c) Global Communication
(d) Trade Communication.

Question 4.
Choose some of the challenges in learning English.
(a) Difference of expression in different languages
(b) Additional language along with native language
(c) Challenges in English learning
(d) English users are advantaged over non-English speakers.
Answer:
(a) Difference of expression in different languages
(b) Additional language along with native language
(c) Challenges in English learning
(d) English users are advantaged over non-English speakers.

Question 5.
What is the language used for journal writing ?
(a) Hindi
(b) Spanish
(c) English
(d) Chinese.
Answer:
(c) English

Question 6.
English is also the language of:
(a) Students all over the world
(b) Non-english speaking peopli
(c) Business and science
(d) Trade.
Answer:
(a) Students all over the world
(c) Business and science
(d) Trade.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is the preferred language for studies for foreign students ?
Answer:
English is the preferred language.

Question 8.
How have trade transactions been empowered in different lands ?
Answer:
Trade transactions from different lands have been empowered by Shakespearean English.

Question 9.
How is each symbol represented in the Chinese language ?
Answer:
Each symbol is a word in the Chinese language.

Question 10.
What is the scope of English language ?
Answer:
English is used for higher studies in other countries.

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